­P¢ngase en acci¢n--prevenga la alta presi¢n!


National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
and Office of Research on Minority Health










La presi¢n alta se conoce como "el asesino silencioso." Es
una enfermedad que no da s¡ntomas.

¨Por qu‚ es peligrosa la presi¢n arterial alta?

La presi¢n alta es una enfermedad grave.   Cuando su presi¢n
est  alta, su coraz¢n trabaja m s fuerte de lo necesario
para llevar sangre a todas las partes del cuerpo.  Sin
tratamiento, la presi¢n alta aumenta sus riesgos de:  

* derrame cerebral

* ataque al coraz¢n

* problemas en los ri¤ones

* problemas en los ojos

* muerte

Est  en sus manos un coraz¢n sano...

1. Mida su presi¢n arterial. Su m‚dico le dir  si su presi¢n
   est  alta.  Est  alta si es 140/90 ¢ m s. La presi¢n
   deseable es 120/80.  ­Aunque su presi¢n est‚ en un nivel
   deseable, m¡dasela una vez al a¤o!

2. ­Est  en sus manos...!  Lea este folleto y ponga en
   pr ctica los consejos para prevenir la presi¢n alta. 
   Siga los consejos de este folleto para bajar su presi¢n
   si la tiene alta.


Tome acci¢n hoy para estar saludable y no tener alta presi¢n
m s tarde.

Para prevenir la alta presi¢n:

* Trate de mantener un peso saludable.  Si tiene sobrepeso,
  trate de no aumentarlo.  Baje de peso si tiene sobrepeso. 
  Trate de perder peso poco a poco, de media libra a una
  libra por semana, hasta lograr un peso saludable.

* Mant‚ngase activo todos los d¡as. Puede caminar, bailar,
  practicar deportes, usar las escaleras o hacer otras
  actividades que disfrute.

* Disminuya la cantidad de sal y sodio al cocinar. Compre
  alimentos marcados en la etiqueta como "sin sodio," "bajo
  en sodio" o "sodio reducido".  Quite el salero de la mesa.

* Reduzca el consumo de bebidas alcoh¢licas.  Los hombres no
  deben tomar m s de uno o dos tragos al d¡a.  Las mujeres
  no deben tomar m s de un trago al d¡a.  Las mujeres
  embarazadas no deben tomar nada de alcohol.


No se desanime, si tiene la presi¢n alta.  Siga los consejos
y podr  controlar o bajar la presi¢n alta.

Para bajar su presi¢n alta:

1. Siga estos consejos:

   * trate de mantener un peso saludable.

   * mant‚ngase activo todolos d¡as.

   * disminuya el uso de alimentos que tengan alto contenido
     de sal y sodio.

   * reduzca el consumo de bebidas alcoh¢licas.

2. Tome su medicina como lo indica el m‚dico.

3. M¡dase la presi¢n arterial con frecuencia.




­M¡dase la presi¢n arterial! M s vale prevenir que lamentar.





U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 96-4041
September 1996

















Take Steps--Prevent High Blood Pressure!



National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
and Office of Research on Minority Health










High blood pressure is called the silent killer. It is a
disease that has no warning signs.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous?

High blood pressure is a serious disease.  When your blood
pressure is high, your heart has to work harder than it
should to move blood to all parts of the body.  If not
treated, high blood pressure raises your chances of:

* stroke

* heart attack

* kidney problems

* eye problems

* death

A healthy heart is in your own hands...

1. Get your blood pressure checked. Your doctor will tell
   you if your blood pressure is high.  It is high at 140/90
   and above.  A desirable blood pressure is 120/80.  Even
   if your blood pressure is in the desirable range, have it
   checked at least once a year.

2. Take control!  Read this brochure for steps you can take
   to prevent high blood pressure.  Follow the steps given
   to lower your blood pressure if it is high.







Take steps to stay healthy now, so you won't have high blood
pressure later.

To prevent high blood pressure:

* Aim for a healthy weight.  Try not to gain extra weight. 
  Lose weight if you are overweight.  Try losing weight
  slowly, about half a pound to 1 pound each week until you
  reach a healthy weight.

* Be active every day.  You can walk, dance, use the stairs,
  play sports, or do any activity you enjoy.

* Use less salt and sodium in cooking.  Buy foods marked
  "sodium free," "low sodium," or "reduced sodium."  Take
  the salt shaker off the table.

* Cut back on alcohol.  Men who drink should have no more
  than one or two drinks each day.  Women who drink should
  have no more than one drink a day.  Pregnant women should
  not drink any alcohol.





If you have high blood pressure, don't give up. Take steps
and you may be able to control or lower your high blood
pressure.

To lower your high blood pressure:

1. Practice these steps:

   * maintain a healthy weight.

   * be active every day.

   * eat fewer foods high in salt and sodium.

   * cut back on alcoholic beverages.

2. Take your medicine the way your doctor tells you.

3. Have your blood pressure checked often.



Check your blood pressure! An ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
NIH Publication No. 96-4041
September 1996